New tablets for care homes providing virtual NHS appointments and keeping people safe

The tablets come equipped with the same software that’s enabling doctors to hold increasing numbers of virtual consultations with patients, as practices try and limit face-to-face appointments in response to COVID-19.

By equipping care homes with this technology, clinical leaders are hoping the move will reduce the risk of exposure to the virus for residents, as well as doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

All 51 GP practices in North Yorkshire are now using the AccuRx video consultation platform.

Usage and uptake is high and continues to grow.

Practices are not facing any additional technical requirements to set up appointments with care home residents – it’s simply an extension of what is already offered, where that’s suitable and appropriate.

Dr Charles Parker, Clinical Chair for NHS North Yorkshire CCG, said: “All 51 GP practices in North Yorkshire are now hosting secure video consultations with patients and it has been a huge success.

“While there will always be occasions when there is no substitute for a face-to-face consultation, this technology is proving to be absolutely suitable for a great many GP appointments and patients have been terrific at adapting to these changes.

“We know that a lot of care home residents are clinically vulnerable, so if we can exploit existing technology to reduce the numbers of visits we need to make to see our patients in care homes, it will help to keep them safe and helps us to manage the risks associated with providing essential care during the COVID-19 pandemic and potentially beyond.”

Technical support for the devices is being provided by F4 IT, a not-for-profit IT service provider based in Grimsby, to help care home staff. Useful links have also been pre-installed on the devices “to provide fingertip access”.

The tablets have been distributed to every qualifying care home by the Nidderdale Plus Community Hub organisation and North Yorkshire County Council.